UNION LEADER $143,642 WINNER AT POKER EVENT

San Diego 
The head of the city’s largest employee union finished in fourth place and won nearly $144,000 Tuesday night in an event at the annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Michael Zucchet, 43, general manager of the Municipal Employees Association, entered the no-limit Texas Hold’em tournament Sunday for a $1,000 buy-in along with 2,882 other players.

Two days later Zucchet had played himself to the final table. He then proceeded to knock out two other contestants before finally losing all his chips in what the World Series of Poker blog called a “semi-bluff” to the eventual winner.

Zucchet’s haul for fourth place was $143,642. Dana Castaneda, who won the tournament, took home $454,207.

While the World Series of Poker is best known for its Main Event — which sees thousands of players compete for a top prize worth several million dollars — it also consists of dozens of smaller tournaments. Zucchet played in the 54th event of this year’s series.

In an interview, Zucchet said he won entry into the tournament after besting others at a $235 sit-and-go table. He then turned that relatively small sum into what he called “an absurd payday.”

“It was just an absolute thrill beyond the money,” he said.

Zucchet said he’s been playing poker for years and earned a spot in the 2008 Main Event through a satellite tournament. He said this was his fourth or fifth time playing in a World Series of Poker event and by far his best finish.

As for the winnings, Zucchet said that he’ll split whatever is left after taxes between the college funds for his two kids.